The failure to qualify for the 2015 Asian Cup still rankles Sunil Chhetri and the Indian football team skipper is determined to shine in the 2019 premier continental tournament after booking a ticket to UAE.

India qualified for the 2019 Asian Cup after crushing Macau 4-1 in their qualifier at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

India had failed to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. “I was there when we missed out in 2015 and that still hurts me,” Chhetri said after the match.

“This is the tournament we play for. We get to rub our shoulders against best in Asia which we don’t get many times,” he added.

Rowllin Borges (28th minute) put India ahead in the first half before Sunil Chhetri (60th) and Jeje Lalpekhlua (90+2) found the net after the break.

Earned our right to battle against Asia’s best and what better place to do it than at the Fortress. Happy,proud,relieved and more. pic.twitter.com/a4DkDJCCNK